Stairs still sit atop a dune in Normandy Beach last month.Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger

New Jersey legislators have introducted a bill to stop big payouts to oceanfront property owners who refused to grant easements for beach replenishment, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

If approved, the bill would limit condemnation payments for easements needed for future beach replenishment projects. The bill, introduced Monday, comes in the wake of a Harvey Cedars couple receiving a $375,000 award in a state court after they claimed their view was impacted by an engineered dune.

“This bill calls for homeowners to be paid specifically for the easement and not for their loss of view, beach access or privacy,” said state Sen. James W. Holzapfel, (R-Ocean) told the press. “This is going to change the way the chips are lined up.”

Since superstorm Sandy, towns have been trying to get homeowners to sign easements for replenishment projects along the Shore.